Month: April 2015

Have you ever stopped to tie together car accidents and identify theft? Sure, you have car insurance and you have to, according to law, provide all the information necessary to manage all that transpires in vehicle repair, etc.

It is bad enough to deal with all the coincident aspects following a car accident, who would have thought you needed to add to the “checklist” a thorough check to protect yourself from identity theft? Who would have thought as you swap important auto insurance information, you may have been deliberately “slammed into” by an unscrupulous driver intentioned to steal your identity? Bankrate, a credible online resource I frequently turn to for financial information, provided this little gem today – just another tip I can share with my clients to ensure they at least consider just what they do share during an otherwise frightening and disconcerting event.

What SHOULD you provide?

So, just what should you provide and what should you give every effort to protect? Clearly, individual states have governing laws to which you must abide, but most appear to require only your name and vehicle information. On the other side of the coin, however, is what do “you” need to have to file a claim? Name, address, driver’s license number, phone number and insurance information. What you can rest assured you do not need to, and under all circumstances should not, share is your social security number. All nature of red alerts should come up if you are asked to provide that information to anyone.

Modern technology aids and abets criminals

With the modern use of cell phones for taking images to “document” things, it would be all too easy for someone to photograph your driver’s license and duplicate it. Rest assured there is absolutely no reason you should provide that opportunity. Unless your state requires you provide your home address, avoid providing the information; why should any person need to know it, or put your family at risk? A large amount of identity theft comes from rifling through a family’s garbage; put seemingly innocuous information from the trash with critical information gleaned at the site of the accident and you have the perfect recipe for identity theft.

Err on the side of reason.

Let me say this, “It is far better to err on the side of reason, and if there is any “conflict” presented by the other driver, don’t hesitate calling the local police – that act will give the other driver cause for pause… when you insist on providing the information directly to the police rather than thinking the other driver is being considerate by “offering” to file the police report for you! You should also ask for the contact information of any witnesses, and the badge numbers of a police officer who may just “happen” on the scene. If at any point you feel there is some concern, take time to contact the National Insurance Crime Bureau at (800) 835-6422, and report any “possibility” of fraud.

If you are new to the area, or are experiencing a lifestyle change that finally allows you to engage in a few outdoor activities while the weather is almost close to perfect, you will enjoy this list of things to do and places to visit that will make living in Arizona as enjoyable as it can:

Mesa is located in the heart of the Sonoran Desert and in every direction you look, your eyes fall on pieces of a rich, verdant playground. Within minutes, you can escape from your home, resort, hotel or convention site and experience our legendary landscape! I have resided in the area for over three decades and still continue to find it a region that fills me with intrigue, and awe; I continue to be inspired and amazed at the terrain, creatures and plant life.

Enjoy!

If you are an outdoor explorer… you can choose from hiking a mountain top or kayaking along our calm rivers. You can enjoy the panorama from a hot air balloon, or paddle board down one of our myriad canyon-carved lakes.

How about a bicycle ride, or seeing the desert by horseback? Waterparks and pools entertain children, and we find the only limitation is pretty much your imagination!

A commercial property insurance policy is a must-have if your business has any type of building or other physical structure. It is easy to understand by the name of the policy that your structure or physical property is the object of the protection. Numerous things can happen that have the potential to put you out of business if proper actions are not taken.

A common example is when a fire starts and destroys different parts of a building or structure as well as the contents inside. Another problem among businesses that happens frequently is when pipes burst and render all important documents useless. Urgent meetings and other important business can be halted when these unexpected events happen and eventually will result in losses. You should keep these kinds of undesired events in mind if you are concerned about developing your business in Mesa Arizona.

Basically, structures are covered in a commercial property insurance policy. However, this type of coverage can include a wide array of items which is great if you do not have to time to keep track of small policies you have for your business. Common items that are covered in a commercial insurance policy include buildings and other structures, cargo, mobile properties, ordinary payroll, records, and machinery.

If you are now thinking twice about whether you need to purchase a commercial insurance policy, it is only natural for you to weigh your options. As your independent insurance agency, we can help you get affordable quotes online in a matter of minutes. You can also choose to talk to one of our locally-based agents in Mesa Arizona 85215 to make sure all your questions about commercial insurance are correctly answered so that your doubts about your coverage will be removed. Your business will only keep growing if you can protect it with a commercial insurance policy that is suited for your business needs.

Arizona Insurance companies rely on CLUE reports to assess risk. When you get your quotes and comparisons, the information appearing on that report plays a large part in what you find on the proposal from your insurance agent.

Don’t have a clue about your CLUE Report?

Have you EVER had a conversation with your insurance agent about CLUE reports that are a part of assessing your insurance needs and rates?

Most homeowners are aware that credit reports are a part of that process, but far too many clients I speak with don’t have a clue! about the CLUE report. The level of knowledge about this report can go a long way in helping you best manage how much you will be paying long term for your coverage. Let’s look into this topic and cover at least the most salient points.

The CLUE insurance report is a record of all homeowners’ insurance claims for the past seven years.

It is the acronym for Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange; a claims history database that is accessed whenever you renew, apply for a new policy, or submit a claim.

It is a tool used to assess your risk… how likely you are to make a claim against your policy – for homes or vehicles. Each and every claim you make to your insurance provider is recorded in this database, and widely used in the industry for risk assessment.

The data is attached to the property, not just the current insured.

Thus, claims made prior to your ownership can also affect your premiums, and in some instances, prevent owners from obtaining coverage. This is one of those double-edge sword kind of things. If you were buying a new home, you would want the value/benefit of the report to protect you from knowledge a seller may be trying not to reveal.

The CLUE report is broken down into two parts: A) The amount of personal claims made, and B) the total claims made on the property, which collectively determine whether or not you can obtain coverage and how much your premiums will run.

The good news… if you are rejected – the company is required to let you know what was found on the report that impacted that decision.

The report claims history, because it is in this huge database, follows you from one insurer to another. However, the information is limited to actual claims. If you have ever made an inquiry to your agent, the probe about whether or not your policy will cover a particular loss is not supposed to be reported.

More good news… even though the database holds all the information, every carrier has its own formula for calculating just how that claim will impact premiums. If you are claim free, don’t be shy… ask your insurance company if they offer claim-free discounts.

Just as you are responsible for maintaining and having an awareness of what is on your credit report, it is likewise important to secure a copy of the CLUE report on occasion to check it for accuracy. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, it is your right to request a copy from LexisNexis at 1-866-312-8076 or Personalreports.lexisnexis.com. If you discover an error on your CLUE report such as an invalid claim or an incorrect loss amount, you should work with your insurance agent, claims adjuster and LexisNexis to convey the error and have the report corrected. You can get one free CLUE report per year.

Being aware of the impact of any claim on your policy, you can better make decisions about filing a claim; sometimes you are better off paying for low-dollar losses out of pocket.

As always, as an independent insurance agent, my task is to be a champion for my clients’ insurance needs, premiums and coverage. If you have questions about this topic, call me today.

Champions are not the ones who always win races –
champions are the ones who get out there and try.
And try harder the next time. And even harder the next time.
‘Champion’ is a state of mind.
They are devoted.
They compete to best themselves as much if not more
than they compete to best others.
Champions are not just athletes.